Issue link: http://lawandordermag.epubxp.com/i/109778
Dispatch Products Inc. provided the communications console setup for the Hamilton County, Ind. Dispatch Center. (Photo courtesy of Hamilton County, Ind. Dispatch Center) County Police Department in Lawrenceville, Ga., stated they wanted console furniture that was as ergonomically correct as possible because like most 9-1-1 centers, they had a wide range of body sizes among their employees. They also had employees with ADA issues that needed to be accommodated, making ergonomically correctness their top priority. After the consideration of ergonomics, their next considerations were the reputation of the vendor and reasonable pricing. ���We wanted a professional and reliable vendor that could be depended upon to stand behind their product even after the warranty period had expired. Then fnally, being a county government, price was a deciding factor. Watson met all of our requirements,��� she said. Gwinnett County purchased the Synergy line of consoles, adjoining work surfaces, fle storage and center resource storage carousels from Watson. Conley reported that while most of the features were available from other vendors, they liked the total package provided by Watson. They purchased the center lift consoles with a very advanced wire management system and ���that is critical, in that when you have work surfaces that raise and lower, you must guard against cables (mouse, keyboard, power and monitor cables) getting snagged or ripped out,��� Conley elaborated. She listed the versatility of their equipment: a main work surface that raises / lowers; a keyboard work surface that raises / lowers / tilts independently from the main work surface; a monitor stand that can be adjusted forward or backward; monitor mounts that allow for multiple monitors and a wide range of monitor adjustments. She said they also have the personal comfort system (heated footrest, fans, etc.) as well as task lighting. Conley stated they take the same care in purchasing seating for the 9-1-1 center and look for one that has a good warranty and accommodates a variety of weights and has a lot of adjustments for accommodating different body sizes. She said they look particularly for such things as armrests that adjust from side to side as well as up and down, tilting seats, adjustable seat depth, adjustable backs with lumbar support, headrests, and other comfort and ergonomic adjustments. Carbondale Police Department���s new facility has individual Space Saver lockers for officers to store items and changes of clothing. (Photo courtesy of Peterson Group) Ergonomic Seating Modern ergonomically correct seating and work stations have come a long way. Joel Vento of Concept Seating explained correct seating can adjust to comfort levels for people of varying sizes. He said their seating adjusts to allow everyone from someone of small stature and weight to someone well over 6 feet tall and over 300 pounds to enjoy an even weight distribution and oxygenation to make their shift more productive and comfortable. Their seating adjusts to ft from 3���97 percent of the norm, whereas most seating will only adjust to ft those from 12���85 percent of the norm. Communications specialists, administrators, offce staff and detectives, as well as crime scene lab people or anyone who spends a lot of time sitting need proper seating and it is not a one size fts all area. Those doing computer work need one type of seat and those sitting for long periods using the telephone and working on consoles need another type. www.lawandordermag.com 43